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Editors' note: In this review, we'll focus on the HTC Mozart's design and performance. For more on its operating system, please read our full review of Windows Phone 7 and the HTC Trophy, which has a similar feature set.

Like the HTC Trophy, the HTC Mozart is a Windows Phone 7 device available in the European and Asian markets. It's another beautifully designed handset from HTC and includes many of the smartphone staples, such as a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, but has more of a multimedia focus with its surround-sound capabilities and an 8-megapixel camera. Unfortunately, the Mozart doesn't fully deliver in that department. Though the audio performance is great, the camera falls short with disappointing picture and video quality, which takes away some of the appeal of the device, especially when unlocked pricing starts at $500. If your priority is a good camera phone, we suggest taking a look at these top picks.

Design
As we've come to expect from HTC, the Mozart, as mentioned above, is a beautifully designed device. From the front it might look like any other touch-screen smartphone, but a closer inspection shows some nice details. For one, there's the phone's compact size. At 4.69 inches tall by 2.37 inches wide by 0.47 inch thick and 4.59 ounces, it's easily transportable and lightweight without feeling cheap or flimsy. The brushed aluminum body gives the handset a solid, premium feel. This is coupled with two triangular sections on the back that feature a soft-touch finish, so you've got a bit of texture to grip.

HTC is known for its high-quality designs, and the Mozart is no exception.

The back of the phone is actually quite interesting. It has a bit of a topographical design, which may or may not be appealing to you, but we found it to be attractive. In the upper left corner, you'll find the camera and flash, while the bottom portion slides off to reveal the battery compartment and SIM card slot. Provided you can remove the battery door (it's a bit difficult), you'll see that as on the HTC Legend, there's a little latch that you need to flip open in order to insert and remove the battery and SIM card. Does it enhance the phone in any way? No. But we still appreciate the thought that went into the design.

Moving on to the HTC Mozart's display, it measures 3.7 inches diagonally and has a WVGA (480x800) resolution. After having just reviewed the Dell Venue Pro, the screen feels a bit small but the pinch-to-zoom support allows you to easily zoom in on pages. Plus, the display is sharp and bright, if not a bit of a fingerprint magnet.

The HTC Mozart is a compact device with a smaller screen than some of its competitors.

The touch screen felt very responsive throughout our review period. Apps and hubs launched as soon as we touched the icons, and scrolling through lists was smooth and fast. The Windows Phone onscreen keyboard, as we've said many times before, is fantastic.

The requisite Back, Start, and Search buttons sit below the display. The left spine of the handset features a volume rocker and a Micro-USB port, while there's a dedicated camera button on the right. The top of the device houses the 3.5-millimeter headphone jack and power button.

Our HTC Mozart came packaged with an AC adapter, a USB cable, and a wired stereo headset.

Bonnie Cha was a former chief correspondent for CNET Crave, covering every kind of tech toy imaginable (with a special obsession for robots and Star Wars-related stuff). When she's not scoping out stories, you can find her checking out live music or surfing in the chilly waters of Northern California.
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